Atlanta Ranks in the Top 10 Most Congested Metros - But There’s a Silver Lining
A new Consumers Affairs report ranked Atlanta as the 8th worst for traffic. On average, commuters spend 31 minutes both ways, meaning most people spend just over an hour on clogged highways and roads during the weekdays.
Major Cities With the Most Traffic
- Los Angeles
- Washington D.C.
- New York City
- San Francisco
- Houston
- Seattle
- Miami
- Atlanta
- San Jose
- Riverside
The Good News
Although Atlanta has a reputation for constant gridlock, the capitol of Georgia is one of only two of the 10 worst metros for traffic that has congestion under five hours during weekdays. That means the other 19 hours experience relatively low congestion. Compare that to Los Angeles, with drivers spending 8.5 hours in congestion.
Atlanta also ranked in the middle of the pack when it came to fatal car crashes: 9.64 per 100,000 people. Houston ranked the worst in this category.
Key Ways to Reduce Congestion and Travel Time
The most obvious solution to congestion isn’t more lanes: it’s to make cars less necessary. There are several key ways to do this:
- Multiple pathways instead of one single main road help spread traffic.
- Robust transit options like trains and buses help people bypass the road and highways.
- More infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists to make short trips and reduce parking needs.
- Remote and hybrid work schedules to keep cars off the road at peak travel times.
When people have more flexibility and choice in their travel options, the less people are forced into cars and onto the roads. It’s a win for drivers, especially those who need to travel around the city for work, and for workers who want an alternative.
A Traffic Accident Lawyer for When the Worst Happens
More Atlanta traffic means more stress, more pollution, and more accidents. Whether you were doing your daily commute to work, traveling from one worksite to another for your job, or driving to see a friend, an accident can strike at any time. Contact Gary Martin Hays & Associates for compassionate, results-driven legal services that put you at the center of the case.
Atlanta may be an hour from Atlanta, but legal help is just a phone call away: (770) 934-8000.
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